Refrigerating apparatus



Oct. 20, 1942.

D.' H. REEVES REFRIGERATING APPARATUS 2 sneets-sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, l'1940 .el ha K s. mm l WP H. o ,4. N l 2 ||||||HHI1 1| |||l||||| lllllldrlllllwlu" Illlllll HH H HIIVIIHH Hull I I L., @nk a l@ u--J-MH|..H-M:M::-|.- u E .Z ,E Havanna. n v z 44 z n /3 l' 4 I e n E J u, M 'l 5 /v/.f Y ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 20, 1942. D. H. REEVES REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1940 `2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENT OR. .Dunno fl. szvfs,

ATTORNEYJ.

' Patented Oct. 20, 1942 marinersRATING. APPARATUS Donald H. Reeves, Dayton, Ohio, assignmto General Motors Corporation, Dayton, h10, a corporation of Delaware Application september 25, 1940, semi No. 358,331

10 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and particularly to refrigerator cabinets. An object of my invention is to improve the appearance of the interior of a household refrigerator cabinet by providing an improved (Cl'. B12-156) method of supporting shelves within the food storage chamberof the cabinet.

Another object of my invention is to improve the appearance of the interior of a refrigerator cabinet by incorporating mounting devices, for shelves adapted to be positioned in the food storage chamber thereof, in the chamber throat structure or in the wall construction of the access door opening ofthe cabinet in such a manner that these devices form the sole support for such shelves and permit the chamber Walls to be smooth and unobstructed.

A further object of my invention is to incorporate shelf supporting devices Ain the food storage chamber throat structure or in the wall construction of the access door opening of a refrigerator cabinet, in such a manner that the devices at the front of the chamber form the sole supporting means for slidably receiving a shelf and supporting the same withinthe chamber or in any one of a plurality of horizontally moved or slidable positions outwardly of the chamber.

In carrying out the foregoing objects, it is a still further object of my invention to provide, in the food storage chamber throat structure of a refrigerator cabinet, shelf supporting devices that are vertically adjustable to accommodate a shelf in any one of a plurality of elevated positions thereof within the uchamber and to conceal the mounting portion of the devices by the wall or breaker strip located at the chamber access opening.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of th'e present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: Y Y

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator cabinet showing the food storage chamber access door in open position and showing shelves mounted.

in the chamber in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, showing the support of a shelf from one side of the wall structure of the food storage chamber access opening;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the ing of a shelf support at the food storage chamber access opening;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the shelf support shown in Fig. 2 and taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, illustrating its mounting upon the cabinet;

Fig. 5 is a view similarl to Fig. 2 showing a modified shelf support at one side of the food storage chamber access opening;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 showing the mounting of the modified shelf support to the cabinet; and

Fig. 7 is a side view of the modified ,shelf support shown in Fig. 5 and is taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, for illustrating my invention, I show in Fig. 1 thereof, a refrigerating apparatus comprising a refrigerator cabinet I0 having outer metal walls or a wall member II andan inner metal liner member I2 providing walls of a food storage chamber I4 within the cabinet. Any suitable or desirable insulating material 'I6 (see Fig. 2) may be located between the outer cabinet walls I I and liner I2 to insulate the storage chamber. A cooling unit or evaporator I1 of a closed refrigerant circulating system may be disposed Within the upper part of chamber I4. The evaporator I'l is adapted to be connected with a refrigerant liquefying unit (not shown) usually mounted in a machine compartment provided in cabinet I 0 below the chamber I4. Refrigerant evaporated in evaporator I1 chills air within chamber I4 and causes circulation of air within the chamber to cool food stored therein. The chamber I4 is divided into a plurality of superimposed compartments or foodl storage spaces by vertically spaced apart horizontally disposed shelves I8. The cabinet outer metal wall member II and the metal liner member I2 are each provided with an aperturewhich register with one another to provide the chamber I4 with an access opening at the front of cabinet I Il. A door I9 pivotally mounted upon cabinet III normally closes the food storage chamber access opening. Since the present invention is directed to improving the appearance of the interior of a food storage chamber of a refrigerator cabinet, I propose the support ofshelves within the chamber solely from devices mounted exteriorly of the chamber. For example, I contemplate the incorporation of shelf supporting devices in the throat structure or in the wall construction of the access door opening of the food storage chamber to thereby eliminate shelf pegs projecting inwardly from walls of the chamber.

line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the adjustable mount- 55 Preferably the shelves are to be supported as described so as to permit sliding same into and out of the food storage chamber. An inturned edge 2l of the aperture in the outer cabinet wall member II is spaced from the edge of the aperture in the metal liner member I2 oi chamber I4 at the throat or access openingsof the chamber to break the metal-to-metal contact therebetween for preventing the transfer of heat into the chamber from exteriorly thereof (see Fig. 2). A portion of the liner I2 inwardly of its edge, is formed outwardly away from or substantially at right angles to the chamber vertical side walls, as at 22, and is reversely bent, as at 23. This reversely bent portion of liner I2 is further bent as at 24, to provide a flange-like mounting edge portion 26. The vertical edge portion 26 of liner lmember I2, on each side of the chamber access opening, has a means in the form of a vertically elongated rigid metal member secured thereto by a plurality of spaced apart screws 29 which pass through the liner mounting edge portion 28 and have a nut 3l thereupon. A mould element or trim strip 33, of any suitable and preferably hard insulating material, overlaps the metal l member 28 and the edge 2i of cabinet wall member II to close the gap between the apertures in members II and I2 at the access opening of cabinet I8. The mould element 38 forms. a wall or walls for the chamber throat or access door opening and provides an insulated wall structure which prevents heat transference between the inside and outside of chamber it. A plurality of vertically spaced apart screws 3d extend through mould element 33 along one edge thereof and are threaded into the edge portion 2i oi the outer cabinet `wall il. A plurality of screws 3b spaced from the inner edge of mould element 33 extend therethrough and through suitable openmetal members 28 each have a portion adjacent r one edge bent to extend parallel with the extension of the chamber side wall formed by liner I2. Each member 28 has a plurality of vertically spaced apart elongated cut-away portions I provided in the one edge thereof, which edge abuts the outwardly formed portion 22 of liner I2. The abutment of this edge portion of member 28, intermediate the cut-away portions 4I, thus causes the outwardly formed portion 22 of liner I2 to cooperate with the cut-away portions 4I of member 28 to form walls of a plurality of vertically spaced apart holes 42 along the sides `of the chamber door opening (see Figs. 3 and 4) for a purpose to be presently described.

A rigid metal element, generally represented by thereference character 45, is disposed in the space between the liner I2 and the inner edge of mould element 33. at each side of the chamber access opening. Each rigid element 45 comprises a vertically disposed part 46 extending parallel with the outwardly'formed part 22 of liner I2 and which is substantially concealed by the mould element 38. This part 46 of element 45 bears against the portion 22 of liner I2 and divides the force applied to the liner by the weight of shelf I8, between the front corner of chamber I4 and the edge portion 26 of liner I2 through the element mounting member 28. Theedge of part 46 of element 45 is cut away in two places, as at 41 and 48, to provide hook-like projections 48 and 5I (see Fig. 3). .Walls of the cut-away portions 41 and 48 bear against the side of member 26 and the hook-like projections 48 and 5I extend through the holes 42 and removably hook over the bottom wall of the cutaway portions 4I, of member 26. The hook-like projections are vertically spaced apart a suilicient distance to extend through alternate holes of the equally spaced apart holes 42. This remov able attachment of the part 48 of elements 45 to the members 28, securely holds the elements upon the cabinet along the sides of the chamber access opening in back of the mould element 33. Each rigid metal element 45 also comprises another part 53 which extends away from the part 46, thereof horizontally into chamber I4 along a side wall of the chamber. This other part 53 of the elements 45, includes a vertical wall portion 54 and horizontally disposed upper and lower wall portions 56 and 5l respectively, forming a horizontally elongated track-like portion adapted to slidably receive a shelf. The upper wall portion 56 of part 58 is provided with spaced apart depressions 58 and the bottom wall portion 5l thereof is provided with spaced apart raised portions 59. The purpose of the depressions 58 and raised portions 59, in the track-like part 53 of 'elements 35, is to provide points of contact with a shelf, in order to reduce friction of engagement of the shelf with the track-like part of elements 55. Each shelf I8 within the food storage chamber I4 of the refrigerator cabinet IE, comprises front and back rails 62 and side rails 83 and a food supporting surface formed by a plurality of wires 64 extending between and secured to the front and 1 back rails thereof. The side rails 58 of shelf I8 are disposed in the track-like device or portion of the part 53 of elements 45, mounted on opposite sides of the access opening of chamber I4. to thereby slidably mount the shelf I8 within the chamber. It will be noted that when the shelf is supported by the elements 45, its side rails 63 are engaged only by the depressions 58 and the raisedportions 59 of the track device. I'he horizontally elongated mounting of shelf I8 within chamber I4 forms the sole support for the shelf in any one of a plurality of slidable or adjusted positions relative to the interior of chamber I4. The use of additional shelf supporting means at the rear of chamber i4 is thus eliminated and the shelf is supported solely by mounting elements or devices incorporated in or associated with the chamber throat structure or the access door opening construction thereof. The shelf supports or mounting devices 45 may be removed from one secured position upon the cabinet to another secured position thereon, so as to accommodate vertical adjustment of a shelf I8. Should it be desired to elevate or lower the shelf I8, the supports or' devices 45 are released from their attachment to the cabinet by elevating the same so that the hook-like portions 46 and 5I, formed on the part 46 thereof, may be pulled outwardly of the holes 42. After opposed supports or mounting devices 45 have been removed from the members 28, they may again be attached to the cabinet at any desired aligned aaaaeos 3 points of elevation-by pushing the hook-like portions 49 and 5| through other of the holes 42 and then forcing them downwardly so that the hooks 49 and 5l fit over and interlock with the bottom wall of the cut-out portions 4| of members 28. The space between thelnner edge of mouldelement 33 and liner I2 permits the devices 45 to be moved therein along the sides of the chamber.

In Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, of the drawings, I have shown a modied form of my invention wherein the shelf supports or mounting devices are removably attached directly to the food storage chamber liner and exteriorly of the chamber proper to thus eliminate the provision of the mounting member along the edge of the liner, as previously described. In Fig. 5, of the drawings, the liner IZa, of the food storage chamber Ma, is formed outwardly away from or substantially at right angles to the chamber vertical side wall,

as at 22a, and is reversely bent, as at 23a. This portion of liner l2a adjacent its edge, is also bent as at 24a, to provide a flange-like mounting at edge portion 26a. A mould element or trim strip 33a, similar to the element 33, overlaps the edges of the metal members Ila and I2a, and bridges the gap therebetween, at the access opening of the vcabinet and this element 33a forms a wall for the throat or access opening of chamber |4a. The mould element 33a abuts, and is directly secured to the mounting flange portion 26a of liner I2a by a plurality of vertically spaced apart screws 36a, and is secured to the inturned portion Zia of metal member lla by screws 34a. In this modied form of the invention, I provide a plurality of vertically aligned and elongated openings 1I (see Figs. 6 and 7), in the reversely bent portion 23a of liner I2a, to form mountings substantially concealed from view at the front of chamber 14a, by thel wall element 33a, for the reception of a shelf support element or device 45a. The part 53a. of elements or devices 45a, in this form of' my invention, is the same as that described relative to the part 53 of the shelf supporting elements or devices 45. The part 48a, of elements or devicesv 55a, are of somewhat different form than the form of part 46, of elements 45, in that this part 46a comprises a single hooklike projection 'I2 and a vertically extending short laterally disposed portion 'I3 (see Fig. 6). Part 46a, of each element adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the access opening of chamber 14a, extends parallel with the outwardly formed portion 22a, of liner 12a, and is bent as at '14 (see Fig. 5). The part 46a, of elements 45a, disposed between the mould element 33a and the portion 22a of liner I2a, bears against the liner and thereby divides the force applied to the liner by the weight of shelf I8a, between the front corner of chamber 14a and the reversely bent portion 23a of the liner. The hook-like projection 12, extends through one of the openings 1I, in the part 23a of liner I2a, and hooks over the bottom Wall of the opening to engage one surface of the liner part 23a and the portion 13, of the element 45a, bears against the other surface of the reversely bent liner part 23a. 'The rigid elements i 45a are thereby firmly held in a shelf supporting position and are removably mounted directly upon the liner I2a. These shelf supports or mounting devices 45a may also be removed from one secured position thereof upon the cabinet to another secured position thereon, to accommodate vertical adjustment of a shelf 18a. Should it be desired to change the elevation 0f the shelf l supporting means for a shelf adapted to be po-l I'la, the elements 45a, on each side of the chamber access opening are raised, to permit the hooklike part 12 thereof to clear the bottom wall of the opening 1l, and pulled outwardly away from the portion 23a, of thefliner 12a, to thereby freev the same from the liner. The elements 45a may then be moved'upwardlyor downwardly in the space between liner I2a and the mould element 33a, for insertion of the hook-like part 12 thereof into any one of other of the openings 1I, to alter the elevation of attachment of elements 45a to the cabinet, for the purpose of accommodating any desired vertical adjustment of a shelf 18a within the chamber |4a.

It is, of course, to be understood that in either form of structure herein disclosed, the shelf is first removed from its mounting devices prior to moving the devices vertically along the side walls of the food storage chamber. 'Ihe modified form of shelf supports or mountings, shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, are like the supports or mountings shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, in respect 'to the feature of the supports at the front of the chamber, forming the sole support means for a shelf disposed within the food storage chamber of the cabinet. Y

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided an improved means for supporting shelves within a food storage chamber of a refrigerator cabinet, and have made provisions for adjusting the elevation of a shelf in my improved supporting means. My improved shelf supporting means forms the sole support of a shelf within the food storage chamber from a point exteriorly of the chamber and in the cham'- ber throat structure or access opening wall construction. By my invention, I eliminate the attachment to and projection from walls of the chamber of pegs or other shelf supports. The sole support of a shelf from a support incorporated in the food chamber access opening wall structure as disclosed is constructed to permit sliding of shelves outwardly of the chamber to facilitate removal of` food placed thereon for storage in the chamber. The mounting of my improved shelf supports, in the manner disclosed, is substantially concealed from view at the front of the food storage chamber and this concealment improves the appearance of the interior of the chamber.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it ,is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet provided with a liner defining a plurality of walls of a food storage chamber therein, said cabinet A having an aperture therein forming an access opening for said chamber, a mold element forming a wall for said chamber access opening, a door for normally closing said opening, shelf supporting means having a portion thereof disposed `between said liner and said mold element at each side of said chamber access opening, each of said means including a part secured to said cabinet exteriorly of said chamber and concealed by said mold element, and each of said means including another part extending a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof and being constructed and arranged to form the sole sitioned within said chamber.

2. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet proing a wall for said chamber access opening, a

door for normally closing said opening, shelf supporting means having a portion thereof disposed between said liner and said mold element at each side of said chamber access opening, each of said means lincluding a part secured to said cabinet exteriorly of said chamber and concealed by said mold element, each of said means including another part extending a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof, and. said other part of said means being constructed and arranged to provide a track-like device for slidably supporting a shelf within said chamber.

3. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet provided with a liner defining a plurality of Walls of a food storage chamber therein, said cabinet having an aperture therein forming an access opening for said chamber, a mold element forming a wall for said chamber access opening, a door for normally closing said opening, a rigid shelf supporting element having a portion thereof disposed between said liner and said mold element at each side of said chamber access opening, each of said rigid elements including a part extending in back of said mold element and adapted to be detachably mounted upon said cabinet, means concealed by said mold element for receiving said mounting part of said rigid elements, each of said rigid elements also including another part extending away from said mold element a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof to form the sole supporting means for a shelf adapted to be positioned within said chamber, and said receiving means being so constructed and arranged as to permit reception of said mounting part of said elements at a plurality of vertically spaced apart points along the sides of said chamber access opening.

4. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet vprovided with a liner defining a plurality of walls of a food storage chamber therein, said cabinet having an aperture therein forming an access opening for said chamber, a mold element forming a wall for said chamber access opening, a door for normally closing said opening, a portion of said liner adjacent the chamber access opening and along the sides thereof being formed outwardly, said outwardly formed portion of said liner being reversely bent and having a flanged edge part extending therefrom to provide a mounting for said mold element, said reversely bent portion of said liner being provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apart openings therein along opposed sides of said chamber access opening, a rigid shelf supporting element having a portion thereof disposed between said lin'er and. said mold element at each side of said chamber access opening, each of said rigid elements including a part disposed in back of said mold element and detachably mounted in one of the openings in said reversely bent portion of said liner, each of said rigid elements also including another part extending away from said mold element a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof to form the sole supporting means for a shelf adapted to be positioned within said chamber, and said openings in said reverselyV bent portion of said liner ybeing arranged to permit the mounting of said rigid elements therein at any one of a plurality of vertically spaced apart points along the sides of said chamber access opening.

5. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet provided with a liner defining a plurality of walls of a food storage chamber therein, said cabinet having an aperture therein forming an access opening for said chamber, a mold element forming a wall for said chamber access opening, a door for normally closing said opening, a portion of said liner adjacent the chamber access opening and along the sides thereof being formed outwardly, said outwardly formed portion of said liner being reversely bent and having a flanged edge part extending therefrom to provide a mounting for said mold element, said reversely bent portion of said liner having an opening therein at opposed sides of said chamber access opening, a rigid shelf supporting element having a portioi thereof disposed between said liner and said mold element at each-side of said chamber access opening, each of said rigid elements including a part disposed in back of said mold element and mounted in the opening provided in said reversely bent portion of said liner, and each of said rigid elements also including another part extending away from said mold element a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof to form the sole supporting means for a shelf adapted to be positioned within said chamber.

6. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet provided with a liner defining a plurality of walls of a food storage chamber therein, said cabinet having an aperture therein forming an access opening for said chamber, a mold element forming a wall for said chamber access opening, a door for normally closing said opening, a portion of said liner adjacent the chamber access opening and along the sides thereof being formed outwardly, said outwardly formed portion of said liner being reversely bent and having a flanged edge part extending therefrom to provide a mounting for said mold element, said reversely bent portion of said liner having an opening therein at opposed sides of said chamber access opening, a rigid shelf supporting element having a portion thereof disposed between said liner and said mold element at each side of said chamber access opening, each of said rigid elements including a part disposed in back of said mold element and mounted in the opening provided in said reversely bent portion of said liner, each of said rigid elements also including another part extending away from said mold element a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof, and said other part of said rigid elements being constructed and arranged to provide a track-like device for slidably supporting a shelf within said chamber.

'7. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet prof vided with a metal outer wall member and an inner metal liner member defining walls of a food storage chamber within said cabinet, each of said members having an aperture therein registering with one another to provide an access opening for said chamber at the front of said cabinet, a door for normally closing said access opening, the edges of said members being spaced apart at said access opening to break the metalto-metal contact therebetween, a mold element forming a wall for said access opening and concealing the edges of said members, a portion of said metal liner adjacent the edge thereof along opposed sides of said access opening being formed outwardly, shelf supporting means having a portion thereof disposed between the edge of said mold element and said liner at each side of said chamber access opening, each of said means having a part thereof extending in a direction parallel to the extension of said outwardly formed portion oi said liner and secured to said cabinet in back of said mold element whereby the mold element conceals same, each of said means also having another part extending a substantial distance into said chambers along a side wall thereof, and said other part of said means being so constructed and arranged as to form the sole support for a shelf adapted to be positioned in said chamber.

8. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet provided with a metal outer wall member and an inner metal liner member defining walls of a food storage chamber within said cabinet, each of said members having an aperture therein registering with one another to provide an access opening for said chamber at the front of said cabinet, a door for normally closing said access opening, the edges of said members being spaced apart at said access opening to break the metal-to-metal contact therebetween, a mold element forming a wall for said access opening and concealing the edges of said members, a portion of said metal liner adjacent the edge thereof along opposed sides of said access openingbeing formed outwardly, shelf supporting means having a portion thereof disposed between the edge of said mold element and said liner at each side of said chamber access opening, each of said means having a part thereof extending in a direction parallel to the extension of said outwardly formed portion of said liner and secured to said cabinet in backof said mold element whereby the mold element conceals same, each' of said means also having another part extending a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof, and said other part of said means being so constructed and arranged as to provide a tracklike device for slidably supporting a shelf within said chamber,

9. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet pro'- vided with a metal outer wall member and an inner metal liner member defining walls of a food storage chamber within said cabinet, each of said members having an aperture therein registering with one another to provide an access opening for said chamber at the front of said cabinet, a door for normally closing said access opening. the edges of said members being spaced apartat said access opening to break the metalto-metal contact therebetween, a mold element forming a wall for said access opening and concealing the edges of said members, a portion of said metal liner adjacent the edge thereof along opposed sides of said access opening being formed outwardly, said outwardly formed portion of said linerbeing reversely bent and having a nanged edge part extending therefrom to provide a mounting for said mold element, means Vsecured to said flanged edge part of said liner in back of said mold element and provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apart openings therein for receiving a Dart of a shelf support, a rigid shelf supporting element having a portion thereof disposed between the edge of said mold element and said liner at each side of the chamber access opening, each of said elements having a part extending in a direction parallel to the extension of said outwardly formed portion of said liner mounted within certain of said openings in said means and concealed by said mold element, and each of said rigid elements also having another part extending away from said mold element a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof to form the sole support for a shelf adapted to be positioned in said chamber. v

10. In combination, a refrigerator cabinet provided with a metal outer wall member and an inner metal liner member defining walls of a food storage chamber within said cabinet, each of said members having an aperture therein registering with one another to provide an access opening for said chamber at the front of said cabinet, a door for normally closing said access opening, the edges of said members being spaced apart at said access opening to break the metal-to-metal contact therebetween. a mold element forming a wall for said access opening and concealing the edges of said members, a portion of said metal liner adjacent the edge thereof along opposed sides of said access opening being formed outwardly, said outwardly formed portion of said liner being reversely bent and having a flanged edge part extending therefrom to provide a mounting for said mold element, means secured to said flanged edge part of said liner in back of said mold element and provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apart openings therein for receiving a part of a shelf support, a rigid shelf supporting element having a portion thereof disposed between the edge of said mold element and said liner at each side of the chamber access opening. each of said elements having a part extending in a direction parallelto the extension of said outwardly formed portion of said liner detachably mounted within certain of said openings in said means and concealed by said mold element, each of said rigid elements also having another part extending away from said mold element a substantial distance into said chamber along a side wall thereof, said other part of said rigid elements being so constructed and arranged as to provide a track-like device for slidabiy supporting a shelf within said chamber, and said openings in said means being arranged to permit the mounting of said rigid elements in other of said openings than said certain openings to permit adjustment of said rigid elements vertically along the sides of said chamber access opening.

DONALD H. REEVES. 

